A native of Texas and resident of Dallas for a number of years, Linda Kyser Smith moved to New Mexico to devote all her time to her painting career. Her portrait, still life, and landscape paintings are found in fine galleries across the United States. Her portraits hang in private collections in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Indonesia.
Linda has studied with a number of masters including four presidential portraitists: Raymond Kinstler, Burt Silverman, Aaron Shikler, and Harley Brown. She also has ongoing studies with Bettina Steinke, Ned Jacobs, and Milt Kobayashi. Linda has traveled, studied, and painted extensively in Spain, Mexico, France, Italy, Indonesia, and Japan. She tends to play down her rich experience and academic background. "At some point, you have to do the work- the proof is in the painting."
Whether in oil or pastel, the portraits of Linda Kyser Smith show us a unique view of her world. Much of her work centers around painting people, and she admits it will probably always be her first love. Known for her character studies, mood portraits, and formal portraits, Linda much prefers painting the figure from life. "When I am involved and interacting with those I paint, I find that I can capture a more intimate and accurate portrayal. It allows me to strive for the freshness of the moment." Linda loves to teach, striving to impart the basic principles of design and color theory. Her goal is to give students the skills in seeing and painting that will allow them to open up their own unique vision.
Linda Kyser Smith was honored at the 83 rd Allied Artists of America Exhibition in New York City on December 7 th , 1996 by being elected as a member of the exclusive artists' group. The Allied Artists of America is on of the oldest such groups in the country and includes founding artist William R. Leigh and notables such as Glenna Goodacre, Clark Hulings, Everett R. Kinstler and Gerald Balcair. This was the third time Linda has displayed her oil paintings in the prestigious exhibition held annually in New York.
Linda is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Saimagundi Club. Also, the 1996 Knickerbocker Exhibition awarded Linda its Gold Medal for excellence. One of Linda's paintings graced the cover of the January-March 1997 issue of Focus Santa Fe magazine. In addition, one of Linda's many portraits was selected for publication in the forthcoming book "Best of Portraits" by Northlight Books.
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